Special Expertise

Dr. Christine Fisher is a board-certified plastic surgeon and clinical assistant professor of surgery and perioperative care at the University of Texas Dell Medical School who has published multiple peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on topics ranging from regenerative medicine to patient safety. Since completing her fellowship with the Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine, she continues to have a special interest in the applications of adipose-derived stem cells and fat grafting in soft tissue restoration. Her research has directly translated to evidence-based decision-making and practices in her operating room and clinic, both in the care of reconstructive or cosmetic surgery patients. Below are some of the articles and book chapters she has published; click the links to read more.

1. "Comparison of Harvest and Processing Techniques for Fat Grafting and Adipose Stem Cell Isolation" in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
   This study compares properties of fat grafts produced by differing methods and assesses volume retention of the grafted tissue.
2. "Anticoagulation Therapy in Microsurgical Operations: A Review" in The Journal of Hand Surgery
   The advent of microsurgical tissue transfer, including replantation, has greatly expanded the scope of reconstructive surgery. There are few recent innovations in anticoagulation therapies for microsurgery, however, and anastomotic thrombosis remains an occasional cause of surgical failure. This article reviews major pharmacologic modalities of anticoagulation, delineates the mechanism of action and study of efficacy of each agent, and compares the risks and benefits of popular anticoagulation therapies. Finally, it examines available human outcomes-based data and attempts to provide a glimpse of the future direction of microsurgical anticoagulation research.
3. "Jejunostomy After Esophagectomy" in Difficult Decisions in Thoracic Surgery: An Evidence-Based Approach
   Esophageal resection is indicated most often for treatment of localized esophageal cancer and Barrett's esophagus with high grade dysplasia. This book chapter examines options for methods of nutritional support for esophagectomy patients.
4. "The surgeon's role and responsibility in facial tissue allograft transplantation" in Annals of Plastic Surgery
   Facial composite tissue allograft (CTA) transplantation represents a novel frontier in the reconstruction of the human form. The face plays a central role in human interactions, with significant social ramifications resulting from facial disfigurement. The surgeon performing facial tissue transplantation bears additional responsibilities unique to plastic and reconstructive procedures. Pioneering surgeons developing this procedure must thoroughly evaluate its impact as it relates to clinical and social issues.
5. "A simple device for the application of medicinal leeches" in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
   This study examines techniques for leech application in reconstructive and trauma patients.
6. "Postoperative Enoxaparin Prevents Symptomatic Venous Thromboembolism in High-Risk Plastic Surgery Patients" in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
   Venous thromboembolism such as DVT and pulmonary embolism is a major patient safety issue. This Plastic Surgery Foundation-sponsored study was a multicenter, prospective randomized study that was done over several years. It examined whether postoperative enoxaparin prevents symptomatic venous thromboembolism in adult plastic surgery patients.
7. "The effect of post-operative enoxaparin on risk for re-operative hematoma" in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
   The risk of postoperative bleeding is the chief concern expressed by plastic surgeons who do not use pharmacologic prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism. This Plastic Surgery Foundation-funded, multicenter, prospective, randomized study examined whether the use of postoperative enoxaparin prophylaxis changed 60-day reoperative hematoma rates.